When should I sow my cabbage seeds indoors?
Sow cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower seeds indoors four to five weeks before the intended outdoor planting date. These seedlings can be planted outdoors in early April in southern Iowa, mid-April in central portions of the state, and late April in northern counties. Immediately after germination, place the seedlings under fluorescent lights in a cool (55 to 65 degrees F) location. High light levels and cool temperatures will prevent the seedlings from getting tall and spindly. Harden (acclimate) the seedlings in a protected location for a few days prior to planting outdoors. Initially, place the seedlings in a shady location and gradually expose the plants to longer periods of sunlight.
How should I prune my gooseberries?
Gooseberries should be pruned to maximize fruit production. Gooseberries produce the majority of their fruit on two- and three-year-old shoots. Shoots four years old and older produce very little fruit. Pruning of mature, established plants consists of pruning out all four-year-old shoots. Also, prune out some of the new shoots. Leave only three or four new shoots. A properly pruned mature gooseberry plant should have three or four shoots each of one-, two- and three-year-old growth or a total of 9 to 12 shoots. In Iowa, the best time to prune gooseberries is late winter/early spring (March or early April).
I have overwintered several bare-root geraniums in paper bags. When should I cut back the plants and pot them?
In mid-March, remove the bare-root geraniums from their storage location and prune or cut back each plant. Prune out the shriveled, brown, dead material. Cut back to solid, green, live stem tissue. After pruning, pot each plant and water thoroughly. Place the potted geraniums in a sunny window or under fluorescent lights. The plants should begin to leaf out in few days. Bare-root geraniums that are pruned back and potted in mid-March should develop into healthy, attractive plants that can be planted outdoors in May.
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